GOP Sen. Mark Kirk Supports Marriage Equality

Sen. Mark Kirk (R-IL) announced Tuesday that he supports same-sex marriage, the second Republican senator to embrace marriage equality.

"Same-sex couples should have the right to civil marriage," Kirk said in a statement. "Our time on this earth is limited, I know that better than most. Life comes down to who you love and who loves you back-- government has no place in the middle."

In March, Ohio Sen. Rob Portman became the first Republican senator to support gay marriage.

Kirk's full statement:

When I climbed the Capitol steps in January, I promised myself that I would return to the Senate with an open mind and greater respect for others.

Same-sex couples should have the right to civil marriage. Our time on this earth is limited, I know that better than most. Life comes down to who you love and who loves you back-- government has no place in the middle.